Hello fellow Lexus owners,
I recently purchased a 1992 Lexus LS400, it has the nakamichi sound system but 3/4 of the speakers are shot, the head unit is dead, the Subwoofer still works great and the 5 disk CD changer is still functional. I purchased this car for $1000 (USD), it has 86K miles on it, was garage kept, 1 owner verified, a rare find.
I am calling this "Project Revolution" as its going through a technological revolution.
Here is what I am doing... Body:
1. NO BODY KITS
2. NO RIMS (unless the 16 inch stock Lexus chrome rims will fit from a 1993 Lexus LS400)
3. NO Repaint, just minor repair work on some scuffed areas
4. Professional detailing (completed, looks great BTW) Exterior Lighting:
1. Brake, Stop, Reverse, Turn, & Corner light will all be incandescent bulbs, Crystal Vision Ultra's, this is to keep that pesky light out error from lighting up on my display
2. Parking, & License Plate lights replaced with Sylvania ZEVO LED's (completed)
3. Fog lights - permanent mod (smashing the yellow glass) and replacing with Hella Extreme White XB bulbs (completed)
4. Headlights - currently using PIAA Extreme White 9004 bulbs (yes I paid $80, and they are brighter & whiter than stock), considering an LED headlight upgrade, possibly GTR Gen 3 Interior Lighting:
1. Footwell lights replaced with LED's (on backorder)
2. Glovebox replaced with LED (on backorder)
3. Dome light replaced with ZEVO LED (completed)
4. Personal/Map lights replaced with LED's (on backorder)
5. Door lights replaced with ZEVO LED (Completed)
6. Trunk Light replaced with ZEVO LED (Completed)
Interior Modifications:
1. Send out instrument cluster to Tanin Auto Electronix for diagnostic and LED upgrade (also replace Odometer as it just recently stopped working, and yes I have been tracking the miles)
2. Send out A/C controls to Tanin Auto Electronix for repair and LED upgrade (completed, LED upgrade: LCD - Cool White, Button Backlighting - Bright White, Indicator LED - OEM Green)
3. Replace stock entertainment system (stereo).....
Head Unit/Reciever - Kenwood eXcelon DDX594
Front Speakers - Pioneer TS-D1330C (5 1/4") component speakers /w crossover
Rear Speakers - Pioneer TS-D1302R (5 1/4") coaxial speakers
Subwoofer - Stock Pioneer 8" subwoofer (If I were to replace it, I would go with a Pioneer TS-SW2002D2 8" Low Profile Subwoofer, they are around $70)
Amplifier - undecided, not sure if I need one
Wiring - High Quality 12 gauge wiring
4. Recondition or reupholster the leather as required (currently looks like it just needs reconditioning)
Performance Mods:
1. Detail the engine bay (completed, took me 5 hours by hand)
2. Replace Air Filter with K&N & clean IAC & Throttle Body
3. Full Synthetic Valvoline 5W-30 oil with a Bosch Premium filter (completed)
4. Flush & replace Power Steering, Brake, and Transmission fluids with Full Synthetic fluids (completed)
5. Replace brake pads & inspect rotors & calipers (replace/re tune if needed)
6. POSSIBLY replace rotors & calipers with StopTech slotted and drilled kit (not sure if its really needed)
7. Replace cap, rotor, ignition coil & plug wires with OEM+ quality cap, rotor, coil & wires
8. Replace Spark Plugs with NGK Iridium IX
9. Install strut tower braces for less body roll
10. Replace current Michelin A/S Primacy MXV4 tires with Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring tires
11. Flush & replace engine coolant (completed)
12. Professional intake and fuel cleaning service
Here are my questions:
1. Do I need an amplifier for my sound setup, and what do you think about the Pioneer D line of speakers. Keep in mind I am going for SQ and will be using the 13 band EQ and DTA in the receiver to ensure sound quality. I am NOT going for bass overdrive or loudness, just quality lows from the sub, and quality mids & highs from the speakers.
2. Is it possible to use the 1993-1995 LS400 16 inch rims on my 1992 LS400 or is it a different pattern?
3. I have heard some complain about the brakes on the 1st generation LS400's, is this something I should be concerned about or is it just nitpicking?
4. LED Headlights, whats your take on it, and I am not talking about the $90 Ebay/Amazon Chinese knockoff ones. If I am replacing these it will be with a $150+ set using Philips LumiLEDS.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, I look forward to hearing back from you regarding this project.